effect

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ɪˈfɛkt/
• SAMPA: /I"fEkt/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (UK)

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• Hyphenation: ef‧fect

Noun

Singular effect

Plural effects

1. An effect is something that is caused by something else.
   • Synonym: result
   • Antonym: cause

   His comments had a visible effect on those who heard it.

   The effect of the change was small.

2. If a law, agreement, change, etc. takes effect, it officially begins.

   The closing of the company takes effect at midnight.

   The new rules have been in effect since January.

3. A sound effect is a way to make a sound for a performance artificially.

   The used a lot of normal materials to create the sound effects for the show.

4. A special effect is a way to make an image for a performance artificially.

   They didn't really cut his hand off, but the special effect made it look real.

Verb

Plain form effect

Third-person singular effects

Past tense effected

Past participle effected

Present participle effecting

1. If you effect a change, you make it happen.
   • Synonyms: cause, make and produce

   I will effect the change without your help.

Related words

• effective
• effectual